* Looking back at the LAN and router tests from 2006
As we enter the year 2007, I’d like to point to some of the best LAN- and router-related tests that ran in Network World in 2006.
The most recent test reviewed a managed Gigabit Ethernet switch that is distinctive in that it’s made in America, rather than Asia. The manufacturer, WideBand, prides itself on making its switches in this country, from its home base in Missouri. We tested the WideBand WB28GMPRO, a switch with 28 ports and a price tag of $3,328.
We also tested the Quagga router, which is distinctive for the fact that it uses open source software to run. It turns out that it does pretty well for itself.
Another hot area in 2006 was the wireless standard-in-progress, 802.11n. When the draft came out, so did “draft-n” products to support it. We tested nine of those products over the summer.
Network World also had a chance to exclusively test Juniper’s SSG 520 when it was released early in the year. At the time it was called the first serious threat to Cisco’s 2000/3000 series of routers.
In addition to product tests, we also will run case studies of how organizations are implementing their LANs and routers. One of our most interesting case studies this year concerned a healthcare organization choosing Raptor Networks instead of incumbent Cisco for its LAN hardware.
So, if you missed any of these last year, this might be a good time to check them out before things start to ramp up once again in 2007. Happy New Year!
